Prevention and treatment of post-operative respiratory failure in lung cancer patients

Objective To explore the reasons, prevention and treatment measures of post-operative respiratory failure in lung cancer patients.Methods 22 cases of post-operative respiratory failure in lung cancer patients were received mechanical ventilation in our hospital from January 1997 to October 2004 were analyzed retrospectively.Results The incidence of post-operative respiratory failure was 5.4%.The mechanical ventilation using of intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and 16 cases out of 22 received tracheotomy. The time of mechanical ventilation was 10～240 hours, median duration was (38.0±22.9)hours. The death was 3 patients with mortality of 13.6%.Conclusions Respiratory tract infection, asthma, operative wound, incision pain, abnormal pre-operative cardio-pulmonary function, etc, are the major reasons which caused post-operative respiratory failure. Correct early diagnosis, early mechanical ventilation are the most efficient ways to save life. Strengthening management on respiratory tact in peri-operative period and avoiding post-operative complications are the keys of preventing post-operative respiratory failure.